Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History / Out of Print [Paperback]

Harry Loewen (Author), Steven M. Nolt (Author), Carol Duerksen (Author), Elwood Yoder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 1996

This product is out of print from the publisher. Please see 2nd Edition. First published in 1996, Through Fire and Water has proved to be a great resource for Mennonite high school history classes and for people who want to know more about the origins, history, and beliefs of the Anabaptist/Mennonite church.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1536, Dutch priest Menno Simons renounced his connection with the Roman Catholic Church and joined the Anabaptists to form his own congregation. Practicing baptism by immersion, the autonomy of the local church and the priesthood of the individual believer, Simons's new Christian sect, called Mennonites, soon spread from the Netherlands to the rest of Europe and, eventually, to America. Out of the Mennonite church grew other Christian sectarian movements like the Moravians and the Amish, who retained the Mennonite emphasis on pacificism but diverged in other important ways from the theological doctrines of the Mennonites. This marvelous book traces the history and teaching of the Mennonite church from its roots in New Testament Christianity through the emergence of Anabaptism in the 16th century and the settlement of Mennonites in North America to the contemporary work of Mennonites around the world. In accessible prose sometimes spiced with cartoons, the authors recount the struggles and successes of Mennonites to establish their religious traditions in an often inhospitable world and provide a balanced and humorous overview of Mennonite history.

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

This marvelous book traces the history and teaching of the Mennonite church from its roots in New Testament Christianity through the emergence of Anabaptism in the 16th century and the settlement of Mennonites in North America to the contemporary work of Mennonites around the world. In accessible prose, the authors recount the struggles and successes of Mennonites to establish their religious traditions in an often inhospitable world and provide a balanced and humorous overview of Mennonite history. --Publishers Weekly

This is a useful volume not only for Mennonites but also for those seeking a better understanding of the roots of the historic peace churches. --Booklist

This is a useful volume not only for Mennonites but also for those seeking a better understanding of the roots of the historic peace churches. --Booklist

An accessible and engaging read for those who know little about Mennonites, and also for those who think they are familiar with this complex story of faith, culture, and action. --Marlene Epp, Conrad Grebel University College

Captivating personal stories, set alongside an honest portrayal of the Mennonite journey. --Doug Heidebrecht, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Herald Pr (August 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836190157
• ISBN-13: 978-0836190151
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,930,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A readable history, January 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History / Out of Print (Paperback)

This is a very easy to read book of Mennonite History. It was designed to be used as a text book in a high school or college setting. The stories are very well told, and very well laid out. The accompanied photographs and illustrations make it even more of a comfortable read. The authors are very informed about this area of study, and it shows through their work.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Beginning, Lacking End, May 5, 2004

By 

Cory (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History / Out of Print (Paperback)

The book is an easy read, informative, and comprehensive. The strongest point of the book is the beginning up through the 1800s. It is accessible and yet professionally written.

However the 20th century coverage excludes some major events. The book does not address the "plain" groups starting at the beginning of the 20th century and continuing until now, and then the fundamentalist-modernist controversies of the 1920s, the response in the 1940s-50s, the revivalism in the 1950s. These were essential turning point in Mennonite history in North America that has given the word "Mennonite" many expressions.

I'd recommend Stephen Scott's An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups as a beginnier's guide in conjunction with this book. It is also accessible, and provides details of the plain groups.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every Christian, December 15, 1999

By 

Juanita Thouin (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History / Out of Print (Paperback)

I came into contact with this book while preparing a speech for a class I was taking at James Madison University. Expecting it to be just another laborious history text, I found myself immediately surprised and couldn't put the book down!

Through Fire and Water taught me several things about the Christian faith I never knew. And the sacrifices of persons profiled in the book, were both humbling and inspiring.

No matter what your denominational influence, this is a must read for every Christian!